CHARTER Program : Medieval Book Production
Illumination, Papermaking, and Bookbinding

On this 9 day art class in Italy, you will learn about the history of writing, papermaking, illumination art, and bookbinding during the Middle Ages and ultimately create your own artistic and literary productions in the lab. Your course will be augmented with "edutours" throughout the northern Italian regions of Piedmont and Aosta Valley in what is commonly referred to as the "Crossroads of Europe" since many great historical figures, from Hannibal to Julius Caesar and from Charlemagne to Napoleon, were forced to conquer the strategic mountain passes in their quest for domination of the European continent.

Your journey begins in the classroom where course instructor Professoressa Franziska Richter* will lead you through the history and the production theories of papermaking, illumination art and bookbinding as well as a discussion of Middle Age symbolism and saints. However, theory and history will quickly give way to practice in the lab where you will use ancient techniques to produce your own paints, paper, illuminations and books by hand. The course will also compare and contrast the use of paper with parchment and the use of gold paint with gold leaf both in theory and practice.

Sandwiched between weekdays in the lab and included in the course fee is a packed weekend of ancient castle, monastery, fort and church tours in Aosta and Susa Valleys. On Saturday, you will walk on a Roman road, tour a medieval castle, and "climb" to the top of Europe (actually ride a gondola to the top of Mont Blanc) all in one day! On Sunday, a highly respected archaeologist, author, and regional historian will enlighten you with a history lesson on the Crossroads of Europe as you visit three stunning monasteries in Susa Valley all with their own peculiar legends, histories, and activities, including one that is an active book restoration lab.

You will live and learn in the quaint village of Cuorgnè, which is nestled in the foothills of the Italian Alps on the outskirts of charming Torino (Turin), a city NBC once called a cross between Paris and Vienna during its broadcast of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. Spend your warm summer evenings living 'La Dolce Vita' relaxing in front of the Alpine views in Cuorgnè or expending a bit more energy in the nightlife of Torino.

If you have more time to spend in Italy before the class begins, an optional guided tour to Venice, one of the must-see places in Italy, compliments the course and synchronizes quite well with the schedule. On the way to Venice, this optional tour includes a stop in Padua for a peek inside the recently restored Scrovegni Chapel, a relatively unknown artistic gem where Giotto painted a spectacular fresco series in the early 14th century. In addition, an optional guided tour of peerless Florence, with Michelangelo's David, the Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi, and more is available for those with a bit more time on their hands at the end of the course.

This program is suitable for people of all ages. Artistic talent is not necessary, but an adventurous mind and spirit are pre-requisites. You will take home with you one completely self-illuminated page as well as many other sheets of your own handmade paper bound into a booklet using ancient techniques. Additionally, you will return home with knowledge that is sure to improve your scrapbooking skills and a unique Italian experience that will be the envy of your friends.

This art class is delivered as one third of our month long Ancient Italian Art Production course, which is offered for those who are interested in spending more time exploring additional artistic production techniques as well as other parts of Italy.

* Professoressa Richter studied fine arts, including papermaking, printing, drawing, and photography, at the University of Heidelberg in Germany and has been in the field of book and paper conservation for more than 20 years. Before working with CESMA, she gained valuable skills while working in New York City at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Pierpont Morgan Library.